What types of marriages does SWIC solemnise?

Couples can arrange to have their: 

• Civil and Islamic marriage (Nikah) at the same time at SWIC; OR

• Islamic marriage (Nikah) only at SWIC.

As SWIC is a certified place of worship in the London Borough of Redbridge, it is registered to solemnise Civil marriages pursuant to section 41 of the Marriage Act 1949 as amended by section 1(1) of the Marriage Acts Amendment Act 1958. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

We recommend and encourage couples to have a Civil marriage and Islamic marriage (Nikah) at the same time. We say this as Islamic religious marriages (Nikah) are recognised by Islam but NOT English law. Civil marriages solemnised in England are recognised by English law.

Who will conduct the marriage?

Islamic marriages held at SWIC can ONLY be conducted by Dr Fahim (Head Imam) or in his absence an imam who works with and is approved SWIC to conduct the Nikah on that day (“approved imam”). 

You cannot use/bring your own imam to conduct your Nikah at SWIC. This means that outside imams are NOT permitted to conduct Nikah or any other event in SWIC.

How to book your Islamic marriage and hall(s) for such event at SWIC?

The hall booking procedure is set out in the “Terms and Conditions for hire of hall(s) at SWIC”. If you are eligible to book and agree to the terms and conditions then please complete the “SWIC Hall Hire Booking Form” at the bottom of this page.                                        

What are the costs?

The hire and other costs are set out in the “Terms and Conditions for hire of hall(s) at SWIC”.

How to book your Civil Marriage at SWIC?

Once the booking has been confirmed by SWIC, the couple must contact the London Borough of Redbridge to complete any formalities they have. Further details can be found at: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages-and-citizenship/give-notice-of-a-marriagecivil-partnership/

Once this is done you must inform SWIC of this and any other relevant information that should be notified to SWIC.

What happens on the day?

• If a Civil and Islamic marriage (Nikah) is to be conducted at the same time at SWIC:

On the day the Registrar and Dr Fahim/approved imam will arrive at SWIC just before the time agreed. Both bride and groom must be present. If the couple is late, the Registrar will usually leave, Dr Fahim/approved imam will leave after 15 minutes. A short meeting will take place between the couple, the Registrar and Dr Fahim/approved imam. After that Dr Fahim/approved imam will commence the marriage ceremony. He will give a speech which will be followed by the marriage vows and an invocation. After this, the couple, the witnesses and Dr Fahim/approved imam will sign the Nikah certificate, whilst the Registrar would issue the Civil Marriage certificate. The whole ceremony should take about 45 minutes. 

• If an Islamic marriage (Nikah) only is to be conducted at SWIC:

On the day Dr Fahim/approved imam will arrive at SWIC just before the time agreed. Both bride and groom must be present. If the couple is late, Dr Fahim/approved imam will leave after 15 minutes. A short meeting will take place between the couple and Dr Fahim/approved imam. After this Dr Fahim/approved imam will commence the marriage ceremony. He will give a speech which will be followed by the marriage vows and an invocation. Then the couple, the witnesses and Dr Fahim/approved imam will sign the Nikah certificate. The whole ceremony should take about 30 minutes. 

On the day you must:

• arrange to have one witness from each side. 

• bring proof of ID: Original photo IDs (preferably valid passports) for bride, groom and the two witnesses must be made available. It is your responsibility to bring the required original documents. Failure to bring the correct ID will result in the Nikah not going ahead, and the loss of your fees. A new date and fee will be required. 

• have agreed the Mahr in advance ( which will be recorded on the Nikah certificate but not announced, unless the bride wants it to be announced).

General

• No segregation: There must be no segregation as bride and groom must be present in the same room while the marriage is being conducted.

• Late attendance: This will result in the Civil ceremony and Nikah not going ahead and the loss of all your fees.

• Photography: Photography is allowed during the marriage ceremony.

• Rescheduling: A date and time agreed for a Nikah can be re-scheduled up to 14 working days before the agreed date. Failure to attend a re-scheduled date will result in the loss of all your fees paid, and a fresh appointment and new fees will be required. If a date or time for a Nikah is rescheduled less than 14 days before an agreed date then a new fee will be required.

• Can I marry a non-Muslim?: In accordance with Allah’s Law, we are told in verse 5:5, that a chaste Muslim man can marry a chaste Jewish or a chaste Christian woman and she does not have to become a Muslim to marry him. However, it must be made clear to the couple that any future children must be brought up as Muslims. On the other hand, a Muslim man is not allowed to marry a pagan woman i.e. an idol worshipper, as stated in verse 2:221. However, a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim as stated in verses 2:221 and 60:10. 

If the either of the couple is not Muslim but wish to discuss becoming a Muslim then Dr Fahim/approved imam can arrange to meet with them, introduce them to Islam and answer any questions. This session usually last at least 90 minutes. Dr Fahim/approved imam will also issue a certificate of embracing Islam to the individual who became a Muslim.

• Can Dr Fahim conduct a Nikah outside SWIC?: Subject to availability and proximity to SWIC Dr Fahim may be able to conduct Nikah at any venue chosen by the couple. Please note, he will remind the couple that religious marriages are not recognised at the English courts and recommends that a Civil marriage must take place to protect the rights of the couple and any future children. At the end of the sermon, he will issue a Nikah certificate.

• Can you hire SWIC for a Nikah to be conducted by someone else or for a civil ceremony only? No. 

• No liability and disclaimer: All Islamic marriages organised with SWIC are conducted by Dr Fahim/approved imam. In the event of a confirmed booking but SWIC and/or Dr Fahim/approved imam become unavailable for any reason then either SWIC or he will notify you as soon as possible and advise you of this so that you may make alternative arrangements. In such cases SWIC will reimburse you any fees paid in advance by you. 

It is an express condition of any booking that neither Dr Fahim/approved imam, SWIC, any Trustee of SWIC, employee, contractor or volunteer accept any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss, damage, cost or expense caused as a direct result of SWIC and/or Dr Fahim/approved imam not being available.

The Trustees of SWIC reserve the right to amend and add to the above at any time (with or without notice) and set such other terms as conditions as they deem appropriate.